In this lesson we will examine the basics of 2-to-7 Triple Draw, which is a form of lowball and is sometimes referred to as “Kansas City Lowball”. In this game players have the opportunity to discard and draw to try and improve their hands – although the objective of 2-to-7 Triple Draw is to make the best low hand.

In 2-to-7 Triple Draw, aces are always high and flushes, pairs and straights count against a player’s hand. Under these rules, 2-3-4-5-6 is not a winning hand (because it is a straight). Players must break up their pairs, straights and flushes and hope to draw low cards to improve their hands.

If you'd like to learn the remaining rules of 2-7 Triple Draw, keep reading. 2-7 Triple Draw Rules. Since 2-7 Triple Draw starts out exactly the same as 2-7 Single Draw, we decided to condense this article so it wouldn't be a mile long. If you've already read all of the above steps, keep reading to find out the remaining rules of 2-7 Triple.

2-7 Triple Draw Lowball. 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball is an exciting poker variation. It is a draw game, which means that players receive 5 cards and can choose to discard and draw new cards and it is also a lowball game, which means that the lowest poker hand wins the pot at the end of the game. 2-7 Triple Draw (henceforth called 'Triple Draw' and also known as 'Lowball') is a pretty form of poker where the goal is to make the worst possible five card hand. The game can only be played with a maximum of six players in a hand since there aren't enough cards in the deck to ensure more could be accommodated. 2-7 Triple Draw is a lowball draw game. Players are dealt 5 cards, then may draw replacement cards 3 times, with the goal of making the best 2-7 low hand. 2-7 Triple Draw Poker Gameplay. A hand begins with the first players clockwise from the dealer placing forced bets, known as blinds. Each player is dealt 5 hole cards. A round of betting occurs. This sample hand is fixed-limit 2-7 Triple Draw with $50/$100 stakes. The blinds are $25/$50. There is a dealer button used in this game that moves clockwise.The blinds are to the immediate left of the button.

As the name suggests, the best possible hand is 2-3-4-5-7, also know as a “seven-low”:

Regle Poker 2-7 Triple Drawing

It can be any combination of suits (without making a flush) and these are the lowest five cards that don’t contain a pair or make a straight or a flush.

The Setup

The typical setup of 2-to-7 Triple Draw is as follows:

• A full table seats a maximum of 6 players
• It is typically played using a fixed-limit betting structure
• Blinds are used like in Texas hold’em and Omaha
• Each player receives five face down cards to begin

The Drawing Rounds

After the deal there is a round of betting. At the end of the first betting round, the first active player to the left of the dealer button can choose to draw cards to improve their hand. The player can also choose to “stand pat” and keep the hand as it is. Each player is in turn afforded the same opportunity of drawing cards.

After the first drawing round, another round of betting occurs, starting with the first player to the left of the dealer button. Once the players have called all the bets, players can choose either to draw again or stand pat.

After the second drawing round in a fixed-limit game, the minimum bet doubles. The remaining players draw a third time, followed by a final betting round. The remaining players then go to a showdown, with the winner taking down the pot.

In summary, there are three drawing rounds and four betting rounds (one before the initial draw). In a fixed-limit game the opening two betting rounds are small bets, and the betting doubles for the third and fourth betting round. The game can also be played with just one drawing round, and that version of the game is called 2-to-7 single draw.

The Showdown

2-to-7 Triple Draw rules dictate that the player counts from the highest card in his hand down to the lowest. It’s also much easier to work out your hand is you count backwards from the highest card rather than up from the lowest.

Here are some examples:

This would win against the following hand:

The first hand wins because it has the lowest high card (a nine vs. a ten).

If two hands share high cards of the same value, the next-highest card breaks the tie. For example:

Is lower than:

Regle Poker 2-7 Triple Draw Rules

If hands share the same two highest cards then the winner would be determined by the third, fourth and then fifth card if necessary.

2-to-7 Triple Draw Strategy

As with many lowball-type games, the drawing strategy may appear counterintuitive to players accustomed to games where high cards, straights and flushes are winning hands.

Players accustomed to Texas Hold’em and other stud games often encounter obstacles when making the transition to draw poker, primarily due to a lack of information about their opponent’s cards. Players therefore need to rely on the betting patterns and drawing habits of their foes. When a hand reaches a showdown you will get to see the hands your opponent plays. This is critical information that will help shape your strategy – provided you have been observant and studied your opponent’s betting patterns, drawing habits and other subtle clues.

With the widening popularity of poker games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, players can easily forget about the other varieties of the game. For players looking for a break from their regular game, 2-to-7 Triple Draw can prove both an entertaining distraction and a fascinating challenge.

By Gerald Hanks

Gerald Hanks is from Houston Texas, and has been playing poker since 2002. He has played cash games and no-limit hold’em tournaments at live venues all over the United States.

Regle Poker 2-7 Triple Draw Poker

2-7 Triple Draw is a lowball draw game. Players are dealt 5 cards, then may draw replacement cards 3 times, with the goal of making the best 2-7 low hand.

2-7 Triple Draw Poker Gameplay

A hand begins with the first players clockwise from the dealer placing forced bets, known as blinds. Each player is dealt 5 hole cards.

A round of betting occurs. Starting with the first player clockwise from the blinds, each player has an opportunity to call (match) or raise (increase) the current bet, or fold and exit the hand. When this betting round is complete, a draw takes place.

Regle Poker 2-7 Triple Draww

Starting clockwise from the button, players choose one or more cards to discard. A player may also discard no cards and “stand pat”. Players are dealt replacement cards for any discards.

Another round of betting occurs, starting with the first player clockwise from the dealer. A second draw takes place, followed by another round of betting.

A third and final draw takes place, followed by a final round of betting. If two or more players remain in the hand, a showdown is held and the players’ hole cards are compared.

The pot is awarded to the best 2-7 low hand, or split in the event of a tie. The hand now complete, the dealer button moves clockwise and the next hand begins. 2-7 Triple Draw can be played with Pot Limit, No Limit, or Fixed Limit betting.